NBC Lands New Michael J. Fox Series, No Fox on FOX

Well that certainly didn't take very long, but then again the last thing you want to do is be shaky around Michael J. Fox. Horribly bad taste aside, Michael J. Fox fans can rest easy knowing that the former 'Family Ties' star will officially return to TV, as NBC outbid the other major networks to land the actor's upcoming family comedy project. Still, it took a pretty penny on the part of the peacock to lock down the Fox, so what about the offer lured him back to NBC?

Vulture has announced that NBC has won the bidding frenzy to Michael J. Fox's upcoming comedy series, which the 'Back to the Future' trilogy star will himself produce and star in. With intense competition from all the major networks, NBC president Robert Greenblatt won Fox over by offering an impressive commitment to make and air a full set of 22 episodes, before even having filmed a pilot.

Fox's untitled project, most likely to be a single-camera comedy based on the actor's own life, is a collaboration with ‘Easy A’ director director Will Gluck and writer Sam Laybourne (‘Cougar Town,’ ‘Arrested Development.‘ Vulture believes it likely that a more seasoned showrunner will be hired for the series, which may shoot in New York.

NBC has also made producers several guarantees about how the single-camera comedy will be scheduled and marketed, even before its likely airing date in the fall of 2013. Reportedly, ABC was a likely choice for the series given that they could have offered Fox the coveted Wednesday 9:30 slot following 'Modern Family,' but NBC's show of support made for a more impressive offer. Says Greenblatt:

To bring Michael J. Fox back to NBC is a supreme honor and we are thrilled that one of the great comedic television stars is coming home again. From the moment we met with Michael to hear his unique point of view about this new show, we were completely captivated and on board.

He is utterly relatable, optimistic, and in a class by himself, and I have no doubt that the character he will create — and the vivid family characters surrounding him — will be both instantly recognizable and hilarious. Being in business with him is a supreme pleasure.

Fox himself chimed in, saying “I’m extremely pleased to be back at NBC with a great creative team and a great show. Bob Greenblatt and all the folks at the network have given me a warm welcome home, and I’m excited to get to work.”

Thirty years after 'Family Ties' first aired, and Michael J. Fox is bring the family back to NBC. Makes you think. But why think, when you can say? Tell us what you think about Michael J. Fox returning to TV in the comments below!